as in subsidy
a sum of money allotted for a specific use by official or formal action
the committee receives an annual subvention from the foundation to run the museum
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Recent Examples of subvention
It’s needed, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West contends, to shore up vital health care services threatened by reductions in federal subventions and the state budget’s own deficits.
—
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Indeed, Cold War–era American institutions and personalities who promoted the ideal of aesthetic autonomy while trying to dissuade writers and artists from left-wing politics and propagandizing (sometimes with the help of CIA subventions) represented a glaring contradiction.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
But maintaining these subventions after the U.S. midterm elections, especially if Republicans win control of the House of Representatives as expected, will likely be difficult.
—Melinda Haring, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2022
The best-case scenario: the government can step in to bear some of the banks’ burden by introducing an interest subvention scheme (where the government bears some of the interest cost on loans).
—Joydeep Ghosh, Quartz India, 1 Oct. 2020
When paternal subventions were not forthcoming, Neruda hit on the idea of securing a diplomatic post abroad through Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
—Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, 2 July 2018
Without subventions from Washington, Tesla’s market capitalization never would have even briefly exceeded GM’s.
—George Will, National Review, 11 Oct. 2017
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Indeed, Cold War–era American institutions and personalities who promoted the ideal of aesthetic autonomy while trying to dissuade writers and artists from left-wing politics and propagandizing (sometimes with the help of CIA subventions) represented a glaring contradiction.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
But maintaining these subventions after the U.S. midterm elections, especially if Republicans win control of the House of Representatives as expected, will likely be difficult.
—Melinda Haring, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2022
The best-case scenario: the government can step in to bear some of the banks’ burden by introducing an interest subvention scheme (where the government bears some of the interest cost on loans).
—Joydeep Ghosh, Quartz India, 1 Oct. 2020
When paternal subventions were not forthcoming, Neruda hit on the idea of securing a diplomatic post abroad through Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
—Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, 2 July 2018
Without subventions from Washington, Tesla’s market capitalization never would have even briefly exceeded GM’s.
—George Will, National Review, 11 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subvention
Noun
-
No amount of subsidies or tax credits can outrun a supply shortage.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Oh, by the way, construction of higher-end housing will be the industry’s focus because building more affordable residences requires government subsidies.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These funds could support direct artist grants or loans, studio and rehearsal space development, and other infrastructure gaps that limit participation—particularly in underserved communities.—
Shain Shapiro,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The agency notes roughly 70% of its budget comes from sales and use taxes, with additional funding from federal grants and rider fares.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Legroom allotments have been steadily decreasing over the years in order for airlines to boost profits, despite the complaints of fliers.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2026
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Range Rider Jim Powers rides around cattle in grazing allotments in the Antelope Basin of the Beaverhead National Forest in Montana.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subvention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subvention. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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